Manager Bakery

Do you fully enjoy decorating cakes and cupcakes? What do you enjoy about it, and what do you find most challenging? Tell the hiring manager if decorating cupcakes and cakes is something that you enjoy.

If you do enjoy decorating: 'I really do enjoy decorating cakes and cupcakes and most people that I have worked with consider it my forte. The detail and attention that needs to go into a properly decorated cake is quite surprising to some. It's a highly technical skill.'

Because this question forces an example, the answer to this question will give you a strong idea of what success actually looks like. That way, you'll learn what it takes to impress your colleagues and be a star candidate.

Asking this question in an interview has been critical for me as a candidate. Feedback is how humans get better. Excellence and mastery have always been important to me, and I am aware that they are impossible without regular feedback. Does this company limit its feedback cycle to the annual reviews? Does the hiring manager make it a priority to deliver just-in-time acknowledgment and suggestions for improvement?

I would put them on a performance review first. They have a right to know what they are doing wrong. But first I would consult the KFC guidelines.

Cap off your phone screening with this confidence play. Asking HR what they're skeptical about with respect to your application can show them you welcome feedback and you can take criticism. It also helps you better prepare for your next interview.

This is another big-picture question that HR should be equipped and eager to answer for you. You might not want to bluntly ask "who would I report to?" It can show resistance or insecurity before you ever set foot in the role. But, it's still something you might want to know.

Phrasing your question the way it's phrased above is a professional gesture that can reveal who your boss would be and indicate to the company that you're mature enough to put your role in context of your department (an admirable move).

First, you'll get an idea of what poor performance looks like, which will help you set expectations for the position. Second, you'll learn how the hiring manager handles a tough question like this -- which can teach you something about how office politics are handled in general.

Give the hiring manager an example of a time when you were able to flawlessly manage a large crowd or line in your bakery.

This is an important question to ask in an interview because it can help you get insight into the position and how it fits into the network of the company. Who will you support? Who will you supervise and guide? What skills are critical for success?

Talk to the hiring manager about your organizational skills and how you remain on schedule.

Similar to the first question on this list, this question shows you know HR is more than just the company's first line of defense during the recruitment process.

Take your phone screening as an opportunity to become acquainted with the human resources department and find out how you'd interact with them on a regular basis from your department. It's a friendly question and one that shows your interest in how the whole company operates -- not just your own team.

If you would be working with the person interviewing you, this is another tough question that can give you some insight into how the team works. It pushes the hiring manager to think about how he or she would handle an uneasy situation, while at the same time showing your level of maturity in that that you (realistically) expect to receive tough feedback sometimes.

Ever work with people that just get it? That's who hiring managers are looking for. This question demonstrates that you understand a job is about more than just going through the motions. Successful people have a specific frame of mind, approach, attitude, work ethic, communication style, and so on -- and you want to know what that mix looks like at this company.

Dress code can be a touchy subject in interviews -- you don't want to reveal that you have deal-breakers so early into a hiring process. But, it is an important aspect of the job for many professionals. Sometimes business wear just isn't your thing, but you still want to maximize your chances at getting a job offer.

If you want to get an idea of the company's dress code without suggesting it's a big deal to you, simply ask HR what you're expected to wear on your first day. It's a harmless question that gives you the information you need at the same time.

For this question, they want to learn about how your previous work experience matches to the position of general manager. They are looking for people who have experience in customer relations, restaurant maintenance and repair, inventory management, team management, recruiting and retention of team members, and financial accountability. If you have experience in any of the above now is the time to mention it.

As a flip-side to the seventh question above, also consider asking HR what they think the company's greatest challenge is right now. While other candidates might be skittish around a business's weaknesses, this question shows HR you're willing to accept the current negatives and join them on righting the ship.

Asking this question at the close of the interview can feel terrifying. After all, you are asking whether there is any reason why the hiring manager wouldn’t want to extend you an offer. However, if you have the courage to ask this, you stand to gain a better sense of the next steps in the process and an opportunity to address any reservations that the hiring manager might have about your candidacy while you still have his or her attention.